New lawz

Short version: We no longer miss out on public holidays if said public holiday falls on a weekend. It still sucks ass to be on minimum wage.

Long version:Public Holidays Amendment Bill passed

The Public Holidays Amendment Bill 2008 has now been passed by Parliament. The changes mean that:

Melbourne Cup Day or a local equivalent must now be a public holiday in all regional Victoria and not just metropolitan Melbourne;

a substitute public holiday will be provided when Christmas Day falls on a weekend;

an additional public holiday will be provided when Boxing Day falls on a weekend;

an additional public holiday will be provided when New Year’s Day falls on a weekend; and

a substitute public holiday will be provided when Australia Day falls on a weekend.

These changes make automatic what has been the Government’s practice over the last 10 years.Employers and employees are reminded to refer to their particular employment arrangements to determine how public holidays are treated.

Federal Minimum Wage increase from 1 October

From 1 October, employers will need to adjust their payrolls to take into account a $21.66 per week increase in the standard Federal Minimum Wage. The increase takes effect from the first pay period on or after 1 October. From this date, Federal Minimum Wage increases to $14.31 per hour or $543.78 per week.